Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - The 2yo's kick things off and STREET BAND (1) looks a nice horse for the future. He got the ob done nicely here a fortnight ago and the rise in trip doesn't appear to be an issue. He appears to have a class edge on his rivals and if he runs up to what he did last start, he should be bringing up the hat-trick. EXCEED THE PLANET (3) jumped an 80-1 chance on debut, but caught the eye when flashing late behind Street Band last start. He meets that runner better at the weights today and the way he closed off last start suggests the extra trip won't be a problem. Can make his presence felt. ELITE MISSILE (2) went through to the Magic Millions last campaign and wasn't disgraced when only 2.5L off the winner. Has form around some good horses in his debut campaign and he can make a successful return. NOAHQUINTILLY (5) comes through the Street Band race last start and has claims. GINGER AND TONIC (8) can improve getting out in trip.

RACE 2 - DEVINE BELIEF (2) was very effective first-up without a trial last campaign and the stable are following a similar lead in to this preparation. He's a course and distance winner previously and he should be prominent from the favourable alley. He can return with a win. RUMOUR SAYS (6) was good first-up behind a progressive talent and her second-up record makes for good reading. She already rates among the leading contenders, and with improvement anticipated, she's bound to put herself in the finish. CRIPPALENKO (7) finished just behind Rumour Says last start, continuing his successful campaign. He may need some luck from the alley, but he can't be ignored with how he's travelling this campaign. BOOTS LIKE BRUCE (1) boasts a strong first-up record and he can take up the running from an inside alley. He may prove tough to run down. ROCK THIS TOWN (3) comes through the same race as Rumour Says and Crippalenko and has to be included.

RACE 3 - RUSTY DREAMS (6) closed off well behind a smart one last time out, beaten 2.6L to begin the campaign. Straight out to this trip is a big tick and she draws to get every chance. She proved her class last campaign and her fresh effort suggests she's not far off that form. The one to beat with improvement expected. OLY'S CHOICE (5) scored the hat-trick win by 0.9L over this 1600m here a fortnight ago and drops in weight for today's assignment. He gets a big tick with Pike remaining in the irons, and if he can continue on his current trajectory, he'll prove hard to hold out. MOJO RHYTHM (1) brings the best form into the race and he'll appreciate dropping back in grade. The 2kg claim comes in handy and he's sure to be launching late in the race. DEMOLISH (3) was too good over an unsuitable trip last start and can be better again now third-up and out to 1650m. Live chance once again.

RACE 4 - A wide-open event. BIRD'S THE WORD (4) was claimed right on the post last start after leading throughout in this grade. He does rise slightly in weight, but he crossed from a similar barrier last time out and nearly got the job done. Expecting further improvement now and he can go one better. BOAB BOY (3) kept up well back in trip last start and can improve with the slight rise in distance today. He can be forward in the run under Fiore, and he'll take plenty of catching if he can hold his form. BREAD TO FLIRT (7) has disappointed her past couple, but it's at this track and trip where she really excels. She's never missed the placings here previously and she has a number of ratings from this campaign that suggest she's a winning hope. CLIMB ON TOP (6) has good upside and comes through the same race as Bird's The Word. Worth including as he's 2/2 second-up and Pike sticks. GINGER GREEN (1) has won 3/6 fresh and is not to be discounted.

RACE 5 - ANTIQUE MISS (4) looks to be closing in on another victory and the rise in trip looks ideal at this stage of the preparation. She was beaten by a progressive horse last time out and she'll carry less weight today after the claim of Campbell. She'll prove hard to beat with further improvement expected. STRIKING FELLA (8) has been okay without setting the world alight his past couple, but getting back to this trip may be what he's after. Parnham hops in the saddle and he's won aboard the gelding previously. Can be prominent in the run and can match it on his best form. EMERALD TRADER (2) comes into this third-up where he's never missed the placings before. He looks to be building nicely this campaign and while the draw is sticky, he has performed well when running on from the back previously. He's in with a chance. SUPER ROMANI (3) is better than he showed last start and the fact Pike chooses to ride him over a couple others in this race holds plenty of weight.

RACE 6 - JUSTABITTAPRESS (6) jumped favourite and stuck on well over this course and distance last start after being caught wide and without cover throughout. He draws much better this time and meets his rivals better at the weights for that effort. Still has improvement to come and he can turn the tables. BONDI BUBBLES (1) was beating the older horses down in Esperance before being a somewhat surprise winner of the Magic Millions 3YO to end last campaign. He comes into this without a trial, but maps to get all the favours with the 2kg claim coming in handy. Can pick up where he left off. KINGS HONOUR (2) beat home the top pick last start in a strong effort and is on the way up. Can't be discounted. LOST CITY (5) will make her own luck up front and is sure to take catching.

RACE 7 - ROCKIN' RUPERT (1) jumped awkwardly and ended up too far back behind Rope Them In the last start at this track and trip. This is a much easier event and he bolted in under similar conditions just two starts ago. Will appreciate this much easier grade and looks set to return to winning form. LIFEISBUTADREAM (11) is looking for the hat-trick following a strong win over 1000m here 10 days ago. This is tougher, but she is on the way up and Pike sticking with the filly is a positive sign. Can improve again now out in trip and appears the main danger. THE BIG ONE (8) led them up and put them away with ease at Ascot 38 days ago and hasn't been sighted since. He can burn across and take up the running and if he gets it all his own way, he'll take plenty of catching. CROSS STATEMENT (2) comes into calculations with the aid of Campbell's 2kg claim. Worth including on recent form. VAMPI AT PLAY (3) is ticking along nicely and can find her way into the finish.

RACE 8 - Time for the feature of the day, the Strickland Stakes. WESTERN EMPIRE (1) remains the one to beat following a 0.7L defeat most recently in the Hyperion. Pike admitted post-race that it wasn't his best steer and The Wizard rarely gets it wrong twice in a row. He's never been out to this trip, but if the stable have Cox Plate aspirations, he'd want to be winning this. CASINO SEVENTEEN (3) is nicely placed under the conditions after going close carrying big weights earlier this year. Drawn well and out to 2000m are both big ticks. Can make his presence felt. BE OPTIMISTIC (7) steps out to this trip second-up, but he was close to Casino Seventeen in the Perth Cup earlier in the year. CJP has a good record when riding and his best form is good enough to feature in the finish. MAROCCHINO (2) is as tough as old boots and will give a very strong sight from the front. He's right in the mix. LET'S GALAHVANT (5) steps out in trip for the first time after a narrow defeat last start. Include.

RACE 9 - DANCE BOSS (8) ran over the top to score over 1200m last time out and should appreciate getting out to this trip for the first time. He closed off with some good sectionals there and Brad Parnham is striking at 22% from his last 50 runners. Drops in weight today and can go back-to-back. CELEBRITY PRINCE (11) got too far back last start to mount a challenge and will not only appreciate the rise in trip but also the better barrier. Pike sticks with the gelding who looks ready to pounce now third-up and he can go to the next level now. SPECIAL SORT (7) boasts a strong second-up record and wasn't disgraced when first-up in easier company last time out. He loves this trip and CJP has been successful when riding previously. Ticks plenty of boxes. CHOLLIMA (9) has been hard to catch this campaign, but the form she's producing isn't worth shying away from. GALAXY AFFAIR (4) has been racing well on the provincial circuit and merits plenty of respect.